Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman,
before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
~ John Quincy Adams
I had the great good fortune of receiving a free manuscript evaluation and critique
from Sacha Whalen via the Blue Boards.
It was fast and comprehensive.
Sacha had much good to say about BIRD BRAIN,
but pointed out (among many other things), that
the opening chapters could be stronger.
She even gave me an excellent suggestion on how to do that,
a way to raise the stakes throughout the story.
So here I go again.
I’m mostly excited, but also a little bit scared.
Courage is saying, "Maybe what I’m doing isn’t working;
maybe I should try something else."
~ ANNA LAPPÉ
maybe I should try something else."
~ ANNA LAPPÉ
Tracy Abell 
That’s awesome! Lucky duck to get in with the first three free ones!
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I feel so fortunate! I’d been scrubbing baseboards and cabinets in preparation for the painters, and took a quick break. Turns out Sacha had just posted her offer and I got in!
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Lucky duck! 🙂
Good luck with these newest suggestions…I’m wishing you writerly wings.
PS For inspiration and/or just simple entertainment, I thought you might enjoy reading “My Bird Problem,” by Jonathan Franzen:
http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/My-Bird-Problem-by-Jonathan-Franzen
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Ooh, thank you for that link. I read a bit and will go back to it later.
Also, thanks for the writerly wings wishes (or something like that). I send the same thoughts your way…
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Thank you Tracy, for being one of the brave, and giving me the opportunity to critique! I’m so glad you’re happy with your evaluation – I can’t wait to see BIRD BRAIN on the shelves!
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Simon just helped Mr. Clancy out of the icy stream, and my lips are blue in commiseration.
Thank you again, Sacha. Your evaluation was a wonderful gift.
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Oh, I like the sound of that addition. (Simon helping Mr. Clancy.) I like the idea of more tension. You go!! You can do it!
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I knew you’d like that kind of change. 🙂 Thank you for the nonstop encouragement!
(I’m thinking of you in your movie theater right now…)
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We had a blast. The movie was so intense. Dark and sad and action packed and touching. Very Harry Potter. The nachos were perfect. Our server was a hoot. My brownie sundae was …yummo.
Have a GREAT weekend!
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Sounds like you’re between the peaks of “Really Good” and “Even Better” — a great place to be! Like Melodye, I’m wishing you wings.
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Thank you, Amy, for the winged thoughts.
I do feel as if I’m in that place, and am looking forward to the Even Better!
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Congratulations!!
Don´t be scared you know what to change and look at. t´s going to be easy for you!!
Ihave been trying to enter the blue boards for month and a half but the never answer my petition of register 😦
Good luck with the revisions!!
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I appreciate your faith in me, Anabel. It will be a good thing and I know I can do it, it just feels overwhelming at the start. But little by little…
As for the Blue Boards, Robinellen (comment down below) is an administrator or moderator there. I’m going to mention this to her to see if she can help.
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But little by little you are constructing a strong and great bird brain!!! I am dying to see it on the shelves or in amazon in my case and be able to read it!!
Thank you for your help on the register for the blue boards as i say below I finally got it!!
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Hey, Anabel. What is the user name you’re trying? The admins are pretty good about getting to these quickly, so it sounds like it’s not going through somehow. Once I know your username, I’ll contact the admins and see what’s up 🙂
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Thank you, Robin!!!
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I finally received the register now. I tried a few hours ago. And while I was with the kids it arrived. I don´t know why the other times didn´t went well maybe because I used other nickname ANAPIN that is the one I use in all the forums.
Anyway thank you I finally go it with anabelgonzalez as nickname!!
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Oh, good — so you’re on then? I’ll keep an eye out for you 🙂
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Oh, and I’m Andracill there.
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Yes, I already posted there today!!! I´m excited although it is huge…
Thank you very much!!I will see you there too.
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Hooray!
Welcome to the Blue Boards, Anabel. (I’m Vinca there)
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You can do it! I love concrete suggestions and bird brains.
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It was the best concrete suggestion. One of those you read and immediately think YES!
Thanks for the cheers, friend. You’ve got a great little bird brain yourself.
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You definitely have the courage — Good Luck!!!
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Thank you, Robin. Wow. That made me smile.
(Anabel (comment above) mentioned she’s having trouble getting registered on the Blue Boards. I told her I’d see if you could offer some help since you’re an In Person there.) 🙂
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Go Tracy! You are on a revision roll…oh yeah, you can do it!
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You’re the best, Lorraine! Thank you for that faith in me and this revision. You helped bring me to this spot! 🙂
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